Published on Friday 31 January 2025
More than £9.2million has been awarded to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council to help prevent homelessness and support rough sleepers through targeted interventions.
The funding, provided by the Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government, is one of the highest allocations in the country - reflecting the positive work the Council has done to support those impacted by homelessness in recent years.
It will be used to help prevent at-risk residents from becoming homeless and deliver a wide range of support and accommodation for those directly impacted.
£8.7million has been made available as part of a range of homelessness and rough sleeping grants to support BCP in the next financial year; including for prevention work, rough sleeping support and accommodation, drug and alcohol treatment and recovery interventions.
An additional £509,000 has been awarded to the council, for the remainder of this financial year, specifically to support those who are at risk of sleeping on the street; the funding will provide resources to help this group back into accommodation suitable for their needs.
This forms part of BCP Council’s ongoing commitment to early intervention and targeted preventative action - aimed at producing positive impacts for as many people as possible. Sitting alongside wider work with the BCP Homelessness Partnership, this further demonstrates the critical importance of joined up and collaborative working
The council has already increased its ambitious programme of acquiring new temporary homes and continues to work with partners to deliver long-term housing options for those at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness.
Cllr Kieron Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services at BCP Council, said: “This level of funding is much welcomed, and works towards our ambition of ending homelessness and supports our vision of ensuring everyone has a safe place to call home.
“Having a home is the foundation on which we all build our lives, and fundamental to health and wellbeing, that is why we will continue to work with partners across the region to support those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
“We have already seen a 30 percent increase in our prevention outcomes in the last year, where we have kept more people in their homes, so this funding will ensure we can build on that work and provide positive outcomes through targeted interventions and early support.”